Abstract: An embodiment of a method of detecting and correcting for spiraling in a downhole carrier includes: deploying the carrier in a borehole in an earth formation as part of a subterranean operation; acquiring time based data from at least one sensor disposed at the carrier; acquiring time and depth data, the time and depth data correlating time values with depths of the carrier; generating a depth based profile based on the time based data and the time and depth data; generating a frequency profile by transforming the depth based profile into the frequency domain; detecting a spiraling event based on an amplitude of the frequency profile; and taking corrective action based on detecting the spiraling event.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method of performing aspects of a downhole operation includes receiving a measurement value from a first sensor configured to measure a parameter related to the downhole operation, receiving measurement data from a different sensor, the measurement data related to the downhole operation, and performing, by a sensor evaluation module, an evaluation of the first sensor. The evaluation includes determining a condition of the first sensor based on the measurement data from the different sensor, selecting a rule that prescribes a set of one or more measurement values of the parameter that are plausible if the condition is met, and determining whether the measurement value from the first sensor is plausible based on comparing the measurement value to the prescribed set of one or more measurement values.

Abstract: An apparatus for estimating properties of an earth formation includes a carrier connected to a drilling assembly, and a sensor assembly configured to measure at least one return flow parameter of a return fluid at a surface location, the return fluid returning to the surface location from a borehole. The apparatus also includes a processor configured to perform receiving one or more return flow parameter values for a period of time after injection of fluid is stopped, analyzing the one or more return flow parameter values to identify a ballooning event, in response to identifying the ballooning event, estimating at least one of a location and a property of one or more fractures in the formation, and performing one or more aspects of at least one of the drilling operation and a subsequent operation based on at least one of the location and the property of one or more fractures.

Abstract: A method for controlling a well completion operation may include providing a controller access to a model that determines a process parameter relating to the well completion operation and estimating an operation parameter while conducting the well completion operation by using a sensor. A parameter adjustment relating to the well completion operation may be determined with the controller by using the model and the estimated operation parameter. The controller may generate a command relating to the well completion operation based on the determined parameter adjustment relating to the well completion operation. A related apparatus may include a completion system for conducting the well completion operation, a sensor for estimating the operation parameter, and a controller for generating the command as described above.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method of detecting and correcting for spiraling in a downhole carrier includes: deploying the carrier in a borehole in an earth formation as part of a subterranean operation; acquiring time based data from at least one sensor disposed at the carrier; acquiring time and depth data, the time and depth data correlating time values with depths of the carrier; generating a depth based profile based on the time based data and the time and depth data; generating a frequency profile by transforming the depth based profile into the frequency domain; detecting a spiraling event based on an amplitude of the frequency profile; and taking corrective action based on detecting the spiraling event.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically performing a sweep operation in a borehole penetrating an earth formation including conveying a drillstring through a borehole, the drillstring having one or more sensors located thereon, determining that a sweep operation should be performed based on information obtained from the one or more sensors, determining characteristics of a pill to be used for a sweep operation based on information obtained from the one or more sensors, preparing a pill in accordance with the determined characteristics, deploying the pill into the drillstring and conveying the pill through the drillstring, and monitoring the sweep operation while the pill is within the drillstring and verifying the sweep operation. At least one of the determination that a sweep operation should be performed, the determination of the pill characteristics, or the preparation of the pill is performed automatically.

Abstract: A method of determining when tool string parameters should be altered to avoid undesirable effects that would likely occur if the tool string were employed to drill a borehole includes, modeling portions or an entirety of the tool string in the borehole under steady state loading conditions, identifying deflections of the tool string with the modeling when buckling would occur for specific tool string parameters, and calculating whether whirl exhibiting similar deflections of the tool string to those identified during buckling would be undesirable.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method of detecting and correcting for spiraling in a downhole carrier includes: deploying the carrier in a borehole in an earth formation as part of a subterranean operation; acquiring time based data from at least one sensor disposed at the carrier; acquiring time and depth data, the time and depth data correlating time values with depths of the carrier; generating a depth based profile based on the time based data and the time and depth data; generating a frequency profile by transforming the depth based profile into the frequency domain; detecting a spiraling event based on an amplitude of the frequency profile; and taking corrective action based on detecting the spiraling event.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method of drilling a secondary borehole from a primary borehole includes deploying a drilling assembly at a selected location in the primary borehole in an earth formation, and operating the drilling assembly and a drill bit to form an exit trough in a borehole wall. Operating includes controlling one or more operational parameters including at least a rate of lateral penetration of the drill bit into the formation as a function of time during formation of the exit trough based on at least one of a mathematical model and measurement data collected from one or more sensors, and in response to determining that the exit trough has exited the primary borehole, drilling the secondary borehole away from the primary borehole.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method of performing aspects of a downhole operation includes receiving a measurement value from a first sensor configured to measure a parameter related to the downhole operation, receiving measurement data from a different sensor, the measurement data related to the downhole operation, and performing, by a sensor evaluation module, an evaluation of the first sensor. The evaluation includes determining a condition of the first sensor based on the measurement data from the different sensor, selecting a rule that prescribes a set of one or more measurement values of the parameter that are plausible if the condition is met, and determining whether the measurement value from the first sensor is plausible based on comparing the measurement value to the prescribed set of one or more measurement values.

Abstract: An apparatus for estimating properties of an earth formation includes a carrier connected to a drilling assembly, and a sensor assembly configured to measure at least one return flow parameter of a return fluid at a surface location, the return fluid returning to the surface location from a borehole. The apparatus also includes a processor configured to perform receiving one or more return flow parameter values for a period of time after injection of fluid is stopped, analyzing the one or more return flow parameter values to identify a ballooning event, in response to identifying the ballooning event, estimating at least one of a location and a property of one or more fractures in the formation, and performing one or more aspects of at least one of the drilling operation and a subsequent operation based on at least one of the location and the property of one or more fractures.

Abstract: Systems and methods for drilling a borehole into the earth are provided. The systems and methods include drilling a first portion of a borehole with a drilling system comprising a disintegrating device, the first portion extending from the surface to a subsurface reference point, wherein steering within the first portion is performed based on a first coordinate system with a first origin, creating a second coordinate system, wherein the second coordinate system has a second origin that is related to subsurface reference point, and drilling a second portion of the borehole with the drilling system, wherein steering within the second portion is performed based on the second coordinate system.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically performing a sweep operation in a borehole penetrating an earth formation including conveying a drillstring through a borehole, the drillstring having one or more sensors located thereon, determining that a sweep operation should be performed based on information obtained from the one or more sensors, determining characteristics of a pill to be used for a sweep operation based on information obtained from the one or more sensors, preparing a pill in accordance with the determined characteristics, deploying the pill into the drillstring and conveying the pill through the drillstring, and monitoring the sweep operation while the pill is within the drillstring and verifying the sweep operation. At least one of the determination that a sweep operation should be performed, the determination of the pill characteristics, or the preparation of the pill is performed automatically.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting over-torquing or un-torquing of a threaded connection between components in a borehole penetrating the earth includes: a string of components coupled in series by a threaded connection; a transmission line attached to each component; a signal coupler in communication with the transmission line and disposed on each component at each threaded connection, the signal coupler being configured to transmit the signal to an adjacent signal coupler on an adjacent coupled component in order to transmit a signal along the transmission line attached to the adjacent coupled component; a receiver configured to receive the signal; and a processor in communication with the receiver and configured to: (i) determine a difference between a characteristic of the signal and the characteristic of a reference signal and (ii) transmit an alert signal signifying that the threaded connection is over-torquing or un-torquing in response to the difference exceeding a threshold value.

Abstract: A method for defining a permissible borehole curvature includes determining curvature characteristics of at least one of a borehole and a downhole assembly in the borehole and calculating an envelope of permissible borehole curvatures from a predetermined location in the borehole based on the curvature characteristics, a direction of the borehole at the predetermined location in the borehole, and a turning angle of the borehole relative to the direction of the borehole at the predetermined location.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method of drilling a secondary borehole from a primary borehole includes deploying a drilling assembly at a selected location in the primary borehole in an earth formation, and operating the drilling assembly and a drill bit to form an exit trough in a borehole wall. Operating includes controlling one or more operational parameters including at least a rate of lateral penetration of the drill bit into the formation as a function of time during formation of the exit trough based on at least one of a mathematical model and measurement data collected from one or more sensors, and in response to determining that the exit trough has exited the primary borehole, drilling the secondary borehole away from the primary borehole.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for using a tool in a borehole is disclosed. The tool is disposed in the borehole. The tool includes a member rotatable substantially independently of the tool. The member is slidably coupled to a wall of the borehole. The tool is conveyed through the borehole to produce a rotation of the member as a result of the slidable coupling between the member and the wall of the borehole. A parameter of axial motion is determined from an angle of rotation of the member.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method of detecting and correcting for spiraling in a downhole carrier includes: deploying the carrier in a borehole in an earth formation as part of a subterranean operation; acquiring time based data from at least one sensor disposed at the carrier; acquiring time and depth data, the time and depth data correlating time values with depths of the carrier; generating a depth based profile based on the time based data and the time and depth data; generating a frequency profile by transforming the depth based profile into the frequency domain; detecting a spiraling event based on an amplitude of the frequency profile; and taking corrective action based on detecting the spiraling event.

Abstract: A method of determining when tool string parameters should be altered to avoid undesirable effects that would likely occur if the tool string were employed to drill a borehole includes, modeling portions or an entirety of the tool string in the borehole under steady state loading conditions, identifying deflections of the tool string with the modeling when buckling would occur for specific tool string parameters, and calculating whether whirl exhibiting similar deflections of the tool string to those identified during buckling would be undesirable.

Abstract: A high-strength meshed bag with a ring fits into a seat between downhole or surface connections in a conduit or into a dedicated filter sub assembly. The filter filters a flowing fluid inside the conduit. The bag may be formed of aramid fibers with a molded ring. The bag may have varying mesh properties along its surface. There may be several mesh layers in the bag. The conduit may include surface pipes, hoses, surface fluid handling equipment, a drill string, or production string. The bag may be designed to let drop balls through when desired while catching much smaller particles otherwise.